Illetas; Coquettish urban beach of fine sand with all services
Services and features
Length 75 m / Width 45 m
Access by car
Bus stop
Family friendly
Beach Club
WC
Urban environment
Paid parking
Kayak rental
Ideal for snorkelling
Showers
High occupancy
Life guard
Sunbed / umbrella rental
Restaurants
Paddle-surfWeather in Illetas
Description
This small urban beach is in the residential and tourist area of the same name (which in turn takes it from the islets, Illetes, off its coast). It belongs to the municipality of Calviá, and is just 9 km from Palma, the capital. It is a sandy beach with fine golden sand in the shape of a U, closed by low cliffs on which pine trees grow. It is about 75 m in length and 45 m at its widest point.
The beach environment is highly urbanized, both by residential buildings and hotels
Following the urbanization model of the 50s and 60s, the buildings were erected forming a semicircle behind the beach, and at the time making access difficult for those who were not staying in them.
Despite being in an urban environment, the beach is very well cared for, terraces were built on the rocky areas to increase the surface area for sunbathing, and the waters are clean and crystalline, adopting a deep turquoise hue.
It is a beach frequented by both residents and tourists
The large presence of tourist establishments has favored that the beach has many services, including access for people with disabilities. It is also a perfect place for families, since its waters are protected from the strongest winds by the cliffs, and also by the buildings, and they are calm practically all year round.
This tranquility of its waters makes it also a very popular place for anchoring boats.
How to get to Illetas
Illetas is well connected by road, although parking is scarce. It also has good public transport connections. Another option is to approach this beach by bicycle.
How to get to Illetas by car
The road route is well signposted.
- From Palma: we will take the Vía de Cintura Ma-20, then we will take the Andratx highway, the Ma-1, and we will take exit 9, Bendinat / Illetes. At the roundabout we will take the third exit, which indicates the direction towards Illetas.
- Once on the Illetas promenade we will find the accesses to the beach signposted. The most practical, with a smooth ramp, is close to the bus stop and stands out for its large blue flags.
To park we can find a place in the municipal car park at the end of the Paseo de Illetas, or in the nearby Cala Comtesa. The streets near the beach are blue zones, so if we park there we must not forget to put the parking ticket.
How to get to Illetas by bike
Given its proximity to Palma and other tourist centers, a good option is to get to Illetas by bike
From Palma: we can connect with the Ma-1C from the Paseo Marítimo following the indications to Cala Major. From there we will continue our route along the coast towards Sant Agustí, Cas Català, and finally, Illetas.
How to get to Illetas by public transport
Although it is in the municipality of Calviá, Illetas is connected to the center of Palma by urban line 4.
How to get to Illetas by boat
The tranquility of the waters of Illetas makes it perfect for anchoring boats
Not a few are those who anchor in this cove to swim up to the beach to enjoy its offer of bars and restaurants. At 200 m, near the buoy line, the sandy bottom has a depth between 2 and 3 m. The closest marina is Puerto Portals, 1.3 miles away.
Services
As an urban and tourist beach, Illetas has all the services to provide a comfortable and pleasant stay for its visitors.
- There is sun umbrella and deck rental, and there are also toilets and showers. There is also a lifeguard service.
- There is a pedal boat rental service and near the beach there are several establishments where you can rent water sports equipment or hire classes or outings.
- There are plenty of nearby bars and restaurants, including a beachside spa. The terraces of some of the nearby hotels and restaurants are an additional solarium surface if the beach is too crowded, or if we want to be out on the sand for a while.
Activities
The main attraction of this beach are its clean and calm waters and its sand. We can alternate refreshing dips with lying in the sun on its fine sand.
The clarity of its waters makes them perfect for snorkeling
Near the banks of the beach, along with the rocky areas that protect it, the underwater panorama is magnificent.
Illetas is also a good place to start diving
With low difficulty dives of up to 18 m. The seabeds where rocks and sand alternate are home to a good number of species, as well as containing interesting reefs and different submerged objects.
If we are fans of kayaking or paddle surfing, we are also in luck
We can take quiet walks through the waters of the cove, go to nearby beaches such as Cala Comtesa, or even turn Punta des Bufador and reach s’Oratori beach, next to Puerto Portals. We also have somewhat longer routes for those who are more fit:
- Route 1: to Magaluf, 16 km bordering a large part of the Calviá coast
- Route 2: to the Dique del Oeste, stopping at Caló des Macs, 11.5 km
- Route 3: also to the Dique del Oeste, but bordering the coast and then crossing the entire mouth of Cala Major
The surroundings of Illetas are also perfect for a quiet walk and enjoy the views of the sea and the nearby cliffs
If we want a longer walk, with a bathroom included, we can go to Illa de sa Torre, past Cala Comtesa and on the other side of s’Estenedor (old islet, now a small peninsula). There stands a watchtower from the 16th century and rebuilt in the 18th century that was restored very recently, in 2019.
After our beach day we can enjoy the extensive leisure and restaurant offer of Illetas
There is a wide variety of bars, cafes, restaurants and nightlife venues for all tastes.
Lodging
On the beach of Illetas and its surroundings there are several four-star hotels
There is also a good offer of apartments and tourist rentals.
If we do not find anything according to our tastes or budget, less than 10 km is Palmanova, with a great hotel offer for all tastes. Or in the opposite direction, just 12 km away is the Paseo Marítimo de Palma, with a good number of three and four-star hotels.
